Water users are being urged to take care while fishing, swimming and boating as water levels in local rivers, lakes and wetlands start to drop as a result of the recent long spell of hot dry weather.
Water users are being urged to take care while fishing, swimming and boating as water levels in local rivers, lakes and wetlands start to drop as a result of the recent long spell of hot dry weather.
Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (CMA) Strategic River Health Co-ordinator Simon Casanelia said the effects of the string of hot days, and little or no rainfall, on waterways were starting to become noticeable.
“Lower than normal heights in rivers and lakes means that submerged logs and rocks may become more of a hazard for people using the river and we urge them to take care,” Mr Casanelia said.
“It’s not unusual for smaller streams to dry up totally, or into a series of pools, during the heat and dry of summer. There may also be changes in water quality and while aquatic animals and plants are amazingly resilient to weather extremes, high water temperatures can reduce the levels of oxygen in the water adding to the stress on fish.”
Mr Casanelia said the Goulburn Broken CMA, as well as other partner agencies, were continually monitoring the situation.
“However, with another stretch of hot weather on the way, we’re encouraging people to contact us if they notice something out of the ordinary or are concerned about the health of a waterway,” he said.
The Goulburn Broken CMA can be contacted on 5820 1100 (Shepparton); 5761 1611 (Benalla); or 5736 0100 (Yea).